This Edwardian cottage comes to life through neutral colours and vivid vintage fabrics

Chris Myers has introduced homespun charm to her pretty home

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Alun Callender

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By Hester Page

31 May 2017

Inspired by her Canadian country roots, Chris Myers has introduced homespun charm to her pretty Edwardian house.

Although it's a long way from her native land, Chris Myers' house echoes the open style of properties there, with their wooden wraparound verandas and spacious, airy rooms. "When we first saw it, somehow it reminded me of home," she says.Scandinavian and New England influences are also evident – an abundance of large windows and glass doors that make the most of the light, pale painted woodwork and simple rustic furniture.

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A long-time fan of Country Living magazine – "I've been buying it since the first issue as it provides the most amazing inspiration for all the things I love about rural life" – Chris finally made the move from north London in February 2000 with husband Neil and their sons Nick, then aged nine, and Stefan, five. The Chilterns was a bit of a compromise initially as Chris wanted to move further into the countryside, but the area offered Neil easy rail access to London for work, as well as the quiet setting they had been searching for.

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Once the practicalities of relocation had been attended to, Chris set about transforming the property. After years of experimenting with colour and styles, she was drawn to a simpler, less cluttered aesthetic, using furniture and shades that create a sense of space. "There was a lot of pink when we arrived," she recalls. "We had to make it less girly and more acceptable for the boys."

They also spent many weekends ripping up carpets. A lover of natural wood, Chris was keen to discover the condition of the floorboards beneath and, happily, was not disappointed – built in 1906, the structure of the house was good. They painted everything white and different shades of grey with hints of green. "We've always used the Farrow & Ball range as we love their soft colours," she says.

Alun Callender

To give the kitchen a different look, Chris added tongue-and-groove panelling to the walls and ceiling: "It's a simple trick but helps to make a room less formal and introduces a rustic element," she explains. Fabrics from Cabbages & Roses, Jane Churchill and Osborne & Little are used throughout the house for windows and chairs, and china is a mix of Emma Bridgewater and vintage pieces.

Alun Callender

Eventually, building work on the long-dreamed-of extension began. Providing a large playroom for the boys, it runs the depth of the property, with a pitched-roof bedroom above. Also included in the plans was Chris's most special addition – a large wooden veranda along the front. It has room for benches, tables and chairs and makes a nostalgic nod to the houses of her childhood, albeit on a smaller scale. It also provides an ideal setting for Chris's wonderful variety of seasonal celebrations, be it Easter, harvest, Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Alun Callender

Alun Callender

Flowering trees underplanted with lavender create an elegant feature in the front, while the plot at the back is divided into smaller areas with white picket fencing. This classic North American touch encloses a pretty garden, framing the 'crooked shed' and a collection of roses and clematis climbing through trees.

Alun Callender

With the exterior sorted and the interior finished, Chris could indulge in her favourite occupation – finding and collecting all things country. In between teaching at a local school, there were many visits to car-boot sales and country fairs such as Ardingly in Sussex and Shepton Mallet in Somerset. The Country Living Fair was a must, too, as were the various local village shops opened by dealers selling vintage and decorative antiques.

Alun Callender

Along with furniture and pictures, Chris's great passion is vintage fabrics: "My mother is a quilter and I share that love of sewing, so I'm always looking for old quilts and material that can be used to patch and repair them. They tell a story and I want to keep that going." To this end, a few years ago she started The Cozy Club and, once a month, plays host to a group of friends with a common interest in crafting. Neil now contributes, too, with his woodworking skills giving rise to a collection of furniture that reflects vintage rustic style – small wooden shelf units, colourful painted picture frames and simple boats, to which Chris adds fabric swatches to sew into sails as a 'make' for aspiring stitchers.

Alun Callender

To inspire the group, Chris also looks for old samplers, aprons and linens with embroidery, and anything linked to old country crafts – an enthusiasm of hers she hopes to pass on to like-minded people. "I admire embroiderers like Caroline Zoob and ceramicists such as Emma Bridgewater," she says. "These makers inspire the next generation and help keep such wonderful crafts alive."